Soldiers of Indian and Russian armies in action during INDRA-2017 (Picture Courtesy: Twitter/@adgpi)

The opening ceremony for the 10th Indo-Russian Joint Exercise, INDRA 18 was held on November 19, 2018 at Babina Military Station. The exercise is scheduled from November 18 to 28. Contingents of both the nations participated in the opening ceremony. There was a fly past of Army Aviation helicopters which carried the national flags of both the participating nations during the parade. The members of both the countries also interacted and familiarised with each other after the opening ceremony.

The ninth edition of the Exercise Indira was successfully conducted last year from October 19 to 29 at Vladivostok in Russia. The name of the exercise INDRA has been derived from INDia and RussiA. Exercise INDRA-2017 was the first Joint Tri-Services Exercise between Russia and India. It was also the first time that Russia has hosted a Tri-Services Exercise on its soil. More than 900 soldiers, sailors and air warriors from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force participated in the exercise along with over 1000 personnel from the Russian Defence Forces.

For the first time in history, The Indian Army has commanded a foreign army contingent during the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. A company of Kazakhstan Army has been co-deployed with 11 JAT Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army in Lebanon. The 11 JAT Infantry Battalion received the Kazakh company which arrived at Rafik Hariri International Airport at Beirut. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Defence Nurlan Yermekbayev flagged off the ceremony of the Kazakhstan contingent which will join the Indian Army battalion in the UN Peacekeeping mission. Troop reinforcement will also be routed through India.

According to reports, there are about 120 Kazak troops out of 900 troops deployed in the region. A total of 30 Kazak soldiers will be part of Battalion Headquarters to take decisions on the operational and administrative issues. The Kazak Company is commanded by Major Ayan Nurkassov, whereas Colonel Jeevan B is Commanding Officer of the 11 JAT. He is also the overall commander of the unit located in Marjayoun area.

The Indian Unit in Lebanon is deployed in about 40 kilometres out of the total 121 kilometres of the Blue Line demarcating the border between Lebanon and Israel. Indian and Kazakhstan share a strong defence ties. Kazakhstan defence personnel generally undergo training at various Indian army institutes including Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academies.

If we talk about India’s contribution in the UN peacekeeping missions, so far the country has taken part in 43 peacekeeping missions, and close to 2 lakh Indian soldiers participated in them. The country is sending its soldiers in peacekeeping missions since 1950. Currently, India soldiers are serving in 13 missions out of 16. During the Defence Expo held in Chennai in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded India’s contribution in UN peacekeeping missions.

Soldiers of Indian and Russian armies in action during INDRA-2017 (Picture Courtesy: Twitter/@adgpi)

The 10th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Russia – Exercise Indra 2018 will be conducted at Babina Field Firing Ranges, Babina Military Station from 18 November 2018. The military exercise will focus on combating insurgency under the aegis of the United Nations (UN). Company sized contingents of the 5th Army of the Russian Federation and a Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army will participate in the training exercise spanning for eleven days including induction and de-induction of the Russian contingent. The training will be supervised by a joint directing panel comprising of senior officials of both the national contingents.

The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct to enhance interoperability of the two Armies in the peace keeping/ enforcement environment. It focuses upon training on enhancing team building, special tactical level operations such as Cordon and Search, house intervention, handling and neutralisation of Improvised Explosive Devices and integrated employment of force multipliers. The primary focus of the tactical field exercise is to share best practices amongst the militaries and hone existing skills of the troops in the backdrop of interoperability between the two Armies in the peace keeping/ enforcement environment.

The topics chosen for the exercise are both live and contemporary affecting both the nation alike. The tenth exercise in the series of Exercise INDRA is aimed at sending a strong message to the world with an intent of appreciation of interoperability between Indian and Russian Armies.

The ninth edition of the Exercise Indira was successfully conducted from 19 to 29 Oct 2017 at Vladivostok in Russia. The name of the exercise INDRA has been derived from INDia and RussiA. Exercise INDRA-2017 was the first Joint Tri-Services Exercise between Russia and India. It was also the first time that Russia has hosted a Tri-Services Exercise on its soil. More than 900 soldiers, sailors and air warriors from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force participated in the exercise along with over 1000 personnel from the Russian Defence Forces.

Amid political chaos in India over the Rafale deal, the first jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation as per the requirement of the Indian Air Force (IAF) took its first flight in France on October 30. The two-seater variant aircraft is designated as RB 008. According to sources, RB stands for Air Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria as important role was played by him in negotiating the deal. Air Marshal Bhaduria was the Deputy Chief of the IAF during the contract negotiations for procuring 36 Rafale jets.

He is currently serving as Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief of the IAF’s Training Command. India signed Euro 7.87 billion (RS 59,000 crore) Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France in September 2016 for procuring 36 multi-role fighter jets in fly-away condition.

Meanwhile in September this year, a six-member crew team of the IAF was sent to France to get trained on the Rafale fighter jets. According to media reports, the team was comprised of a fighter pilot, an engineer and four technicians. The crew was trained at the Saint-Dizier airbase in eastern France. The first lot of Rafale jets will be delivered to India in September 2019.Rafale Deal Controversy: A political fight to demoralise our forces

Last time India imported any foreign jets was Russian built- Sukhoi 30 fighter jets in 1997. Almost after 22 years, the country is now procuring the Rafale fighter jets to upgrade its fighter jet sqaudrons. The IAF also issued a request for information (RFI) to acquire 110 fighter jets in April this year, to get rid of shortage of fighter jets. The force received response to the RFI from six global aircraft manufactures – Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and Russian United Aircraft Corporation’s MiG-35. The entire deal will be of worth Rs $15 billion.

The Indian Army lost a brave officer, Col Govardhan Gopal Gudur last week. Col Gudur, Commanding officer of the Sikh Li Regiment was born on October 23, 1977 in Bangaluru. He cleared his 10th and 12th boards from Kendriya Vidylaya (KV) Kanpur and KV Chandigarh. Even after clearing IIT Entrance Exam he preferred to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). He joined the 96th Course of the academy in Kilo Squadron and passed out from the Mike Squadron as Battalion Cadet Captain.

On May 13, 2000 Col Gudur commissioned into the Sikh Li Regiment as Lieutenant. He immediately became Ghatak Platoon Commander. With his hard work and dedication he lifted the Divison Trophy as platoon commander. He also achieved top 10 position in the JC course at Infantry School Mhow. He also held the prestigious appointment in Armoured Brigade at Jaisalmer.

The sail training ship of Indian Navy, INS Tarangini based at Kochi, returned after a seven-month long sailing across the world to a grand reception at naval base, Kochi on 30 Oct 18. Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command received the ship. The Southern Naval Command at South Jetty of the naval base conducted a welcoming ceremony to mark the occasion. Captain Varun Singh, SC, Senior Officer First Training Squadron and a number of senior officers, families of the crew and other distinguished guests also attended the function.

The Voyage named “Lokayan 18” was flagged off on 10 Apr 18 from Kochi. During the voyage, the ship sailed across 15 ports in 13 countries. The ship sailed across the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, English Channel and North Sea, right up to Norway before returning to its Kochi. he ship also participated in the culminating event of the ‘Three Festival Tall Ships Regatta’ at Bordeaux, France. As well as the ‘Tall Ships Races Europe 2018’ which started at Sunderland, UK and touched Esbjerg, Denmark and Stavanger, Norway before finishing at Harlingen, Netherlands.

INS Tarangini is a three masted ‘square rigged’ barque which carries a total of 20 sails. She is the First Sail Training Ship in Indian Navy and was commissioned on 11 Nov 1997. In her 21 years of glorious service, she has sailed over 2,20,000 nautical miles to date across the world’s oceans. The ship is under the command of Cdr Rahul Mehta. The ship has a crew of nine officers and 43 sailors and can also embark 30 Officer Sea Trainees. She is the first of two Sail Training Ships in the First Training Squadron. The other Sail Training Ship is INS Sudarshini.

The primary role of these Sail Training Ships is to develop character and professionalism, as well as inculcate the qualities of initiative, courage, resilience and esprit-de-corps amongst the Sea Trainees and also impart practical training to them, primarily on navigation, sailing and seamanship.

India and Japan are set to hold their first even joint military exercise ‘Dharma-Guardian 2018’. The exercise will be conducted between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram from November 1 to 14, 2018. The main aim of this exercise is to enhance interoperability and cohesion. The 6/1 Gorkha Rifles will represent the Indian contingent, while the Japanese contingent will be represented by 32 Infantry Regiment.

Both the sides will execute well developed tactical drills for enhancing their capability of countering threats in urban warfare scenario. The exercise will also strengthen the bilateral strategic ties between both the countries. Earlier this month, bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX-18 was also held between India and Japan in Visakhapatnam. Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Inazuma, a guided missile destroyer participated in the exercise. The exercise concluded on October 15. The ships from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy took part in the exercise.

Japan is also a permanent participant in the Malabar series of naval exercises since 2015. It originally started between the Indian and U.S. navies in 1992. The Malabar 2018 trilateral exercise was held off Guam in June. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Japan signed several key agreements including a $75 billion swap agreement. Terms and conditions of this agreement is not yet in the open, but Japan had signed this type of agreement with other countries like China, Singapore and Malaysia. According to this agreement, japan will lend India up to $75 billion over a period of time. At the time of redemption, the cost of the dollar will remain the same and hence there is no exchange risk. However, Japan will charge a swap rate which can be linked to LIBOR (London Inter-bank Offered Rate).

GCs taking part in the cross-country event held at IMA, Dehradun (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy)

The Indian Military Academy is an institute where boys are groomed into men. Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) during their training at this premier institute are exposed to multifarious activities such as Weapon Training, Service and Academic Subjects, Drill, Physical Training, Sports, Outdoor Camps and extracurricular activities. These are aimed at making them battle ready and teach them necessary skills to execute various responsibilities and operational tasks with utmost professionalism during their service career. GCs are are also encouraged to achieve excellence at individual level and contribute constructively in team effort to infuse a sense of comradeship amongst them.

As part of part of the training schedule, a cross country run as of GCs of Autumn term 2018 was held at the prestigious Indian Military Academy on 19 October 2018. The cross-country run is of 12 Kms. Lt Gen S K Jha, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, Commandant of the academy flagged off the event which tests the limits of physical endurance, determination and will power of GCs.

The most colourful and awaited event of the academy saw participation of 810 gentle man cadets of IInd and IIIrd terms. Highlight of the Cross country of this autumn term has been the joshful participation and increased sense of involvement of the Gentleman cadets with 100℅ participation and not having even a single dropout.

Keren Comapny of Bhagat Battalion attained the first position with 742 points (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy)

Keren Company of Bhagat Battalion attained the first position with 742 points, while Basantar Company of the same Battalion got second position with 706 points. Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion came third on difference of average score with 706 points.

(Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academ

GC Himanshu Kashyap of Dograi Company came 2nd (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy)

GC Abhishek Rai of Alamein Company came 3rd (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy)

GC shivkant yadav of Alamein Company with a timing of 38.16 minutes got first position while GC Himanshu Kashyap of Dograi Company and GC Abhishek Rai of Alamein Company came 2nd & 3rd with timings of 38.32 and 38.39 minutes respectively.

Tug of war competition between commandant 15 and deputy commandant and Chief instructor 15 (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy, Dehradun)

Tug of war competition between commandant 15 and deputy commandant and Chief instructor 15 (Picture Courtesy: Indian Military Academy, Dehradun)

The event culminated with tug of war competition among new entrant Gentleman cadets followed by similar competition between commandant 15 and deputy commandant and Chief instructor 15 in which instructors of the Academy participated. The event witnessed a cheerful participation by officers, ladies and children of the Academy.

The Indian Army lost a brave officer, Col Govardhan Gopal Gudur last week. Col Gudur, Commanding officer of the Sikh Li Regiment was born on October 23, 1977 in Bangaluru. He cleared his 10th and 12th boards from Kendriya Vidylaya (KV) Kanpur and KV Chandigarh. Even after clearing IIT Entrance Exam he preferred to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). He joined the 96th Course of the academy in Kilo Squadron and passed out from the Mike Squadron as Battalion Cadet Captain.

On May 13, 2000 Col Gudur commissioned into the Sikh Li Regiment as Lieutenant. He immediately became Ghatak Platoon Commander. With his hard work and dedication he lifted the Divison Trophy as platoon commander. He also achieved top 10 position in the JC course at Infantry School Mhow. He also held the prestigious appointment in Armoured Brigade at Jaisalmer.

He also served as a Tactical Training Officer at the NDA from August 2009 to March 11. He is popularly known as 3G among cadets for his image as a strict trainer. Col Gudur was also appointed as the Military Advisor to the President of Seychelles from March 14 to March 16. On October 4, 2016 he took over the command of Sikh Li Regiment as the Commanding Officer at Tibri Cantt, Gurdaspur, Punjab.

Col Gudur sharing his real life experiences as a peace keeper in Lake Kivu and Katanga regions of Congo:

His unit also took over operational responsibility on April 1, 2018 at Kokrajhar in Assam. His untimely demise has left a void in the hearts of his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Harshita Gudur and his son Medhansh Gudur.

India is set to join the United States of America and Russia in providing advanced missile shield to its important cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Nirmarla Sitaraman, has approved the plan to procure the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System-II (NASAMS) through a government-to government deal with US. The entire deal would be close to $ 1billion. Nasams-II is manufactured by Kongsberg and Raytheon.

The new missile system will replace aging Russian Pechora air defense systems. NASAMS-II will be armed with 3-D sentinel radar and short and medium-range missile launchers. It can also track and shoots down multiple airborne threats such as cruise missile, drones and fighter jets. This missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also developing two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield. The missile system of DRDO will be capable of tracking and destroying nuclear missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmosphere. Once developed the BMD shield will be deployed to protect cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, whereas NASMAS-II will be used to intercept cruise missiles and aircraft. India is likely to issue letter of request to the US by the end of this year.

NASAMS II – a highly adaptable mid-range air defense system. Its battery consists of 12 missile launchers carrying six missiles each. The missile system employs the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) as the primary weapon. The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile can also be fired by the NASAMS-II.